Bahamas
Established in 1958, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is widely cited as the first no-take marine reserve in the Caribbean, protecting the northern Exuma Cays and the second-largest barrier reef in the Western Hemispher...
The park protects the area from Shroud Cay to Bells Cay in the northern Exumas and covers about 456 square kilometers. Diving takes place on shallow reefs and walls, plus blue holes and cave systems such as Rocky Dundas. Visibility is described as consistently excellent due to minimal land runoff. Marine life includes sea turtles, eagle rays, reef sharks, and seasonally humpback whales and hammerhead sharks.